Estate planning and wealth protection lawyer Rod Cunich says we should consider the content we generate on computers as assets, and plan accordingly for them after we're gone.

"We've got electronic banking details, investment accounts, shopping accounts, email records, social media records, a lot of people store data in an online Cloud and a lot of that can be lost if you don't think about it and plan for what happens when you're not around.

Mr Cunich said a record of your online accounts, their passwords and logon details should be left with an executor.

"They can log on and remove all your electronic banking details and other credit card related accounts and perhaps make contact with Facebook and satisfy the company they have authority to deal with them, prove that you've passed away through a death certificate.

"Facebook will allow you to remove access so no one can see the account or alternatively they will memorialise it which means they will only allow people who are confirmed friends to look at the account or post to it, so that way you can keep the memory of the person who's passed away alive without it being used and abused by others."

Some web providers aren't as supportive as Facebook when dealing with deceased accounts, Mr Cunich warns.

Some websites will shut down accounts and claim ownership of all information contained within the account.

"Have a look at the deceased user policy in the terms and conditions and see whether you're happy with it, if you're not happy there are lots of other social media pages and other service providers that you can move to who might be a bit more friendly."

Making your social media account details known to an executor can also prevent distress to friends and relatives by cancelling automated notifications after you're gone.